Undertaker&#39;s table



Dec, 3, 1935.

M. GALLUP UNDERTAKER S TABLE 1934 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed June 22 INVENTOR. 777711 021 G'af/afi BY' Dec. 3, 1935. GALLUP I 2,022,714

UNDERTAKER 5 TABLE INVENTOR.

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Patented Dec. 3, 1935 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 2,022,714 UNDERTAKERS TABLE corporation of Ohio Application June 22,1934, Serial No. 731,937

7 Claims. (01. 311-6) The present invention relates to a novel form of equipment best adapted for use in an undertaking establishment for preparing and embalming corpses.

One of the objects of the invention is to provide a relatively inexpensive mortuary table which at the same time will possess the necessary strength and durability of the more heavy and expensive equipment which has heretofore been employed.

A further object of the invention is to provide a removable top for the table together with a rigid supporting frame which can be lifted from the supporting carriage and used as a stretcher for a body. Still another object is to so construct and fabricate the undertakers table that it will readily lend itself to cleaning and sanitation. Additional objects and advantages shall become apparent as. the following description proceeds.

To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, said invention, then, consists of the means hereinafter fully described and particu-- larly pointed out in the claims.

The annexed drawings and the following description set forth in detail certain structure embodying the invention, such disclosed means constituting, however, but one of various structural forms in which the principle of the invention may be used.

In said annexed drawings: I

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the assembled undertakers table embodying the principle of my invention; Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the supporting carriage alone; Fig. 3 is a plan view of the table, a portion of the table top being broken away; Fig. 4 is a fragmentary end elevational View of one corner of the table; Fig. 5 is a top view of Fig. 4 with the table top omitted, and rotated clockwise through an angle of 90 with respect to the plane of Fig. 4; Fig. 6 is an enlarged sectional view illustrating the manner of attachment of the removable transverse tie bars of the supporting carriage, and taken substantially along line 6-6 of Fig. 3.

Referring more particularly to the drawings, the device illustrated therein includes a supporting carriage which is fabricated from a pair of substantially U-shaped tubular members I, I. The arms of the members, which are downwardly disposed, constitute the supporting legs 2 and 3 of the carriage. Reinforcing tie bars 4 join the ends of the U-shaped members I and serve as additional strengthening members. Transverse tie bars 5, 5 extend between the U-shaped members I at the lower ends, and transverse tie bars 6 and I extend between the U-shaped members I in their upper portion. It should be noted that the tie bar 6 is disposed at a greater height than the tie bar I which is for the purpose of 5 permitting the table top and supporting frame to be inclined at an angle from the horizontal, as will be subsequently described. Casters 8 are positioned upon the lower ends of the supporting legs 2 and 3, in order that the carriage may 10 be easily wheeled or moved about from place to place. Brakes 9 are also supplied for the purpose of locking the casters 8 and to hold the carriage against movement as desired.

The transverse tie bars 5, 6 and I are prefer- 5 ably removably secured to the U-shaped members I, I in order that the supporting carriage may be conveniently disassembled or knocked down for the purposes of storing and shipping. As shown in Fig. 6, such removable construction is obtained by inserting a bushing I0 into the inner end of the transverse tie bar 5. The bushing Ill may be secured to the bar 5 by means of brazing or welding. The outer end II of the bushing I0 is of concave form in order that it will contact with the cylindrical surface of the bar I. A bolt or stud I2 extends through a suitable drilled hole in the wall of the bar I and threadably engages with the bushing II] to draw the latter and the bar 5 tightly against the bar I. It is to be understood, of course, that the transverse tie bars 6 and I are also removably secured to the U-shaped members I in the same manner as has been just described.

The reinforcing and supporting frame for the table top consists of a pair of angle bars I3 and I4 which are joined together in their medial portions by means of the anchor plate I5. The bars I3 and I4 project outwardly from the anchor plate I5 towards the four corners of the table top I6, whereby the supporting frame is in the form of an X. The outer ends of the bars I3- and I4 are braced by means of the cross bars I1 and I8 which may be riveted or welded there to. The edges of the table top I6 are in the form of upwardly and inwardly turned marginal flanges I9. A casting 20 is carried by each of the outer ends of the bars I3 and I4 and has the upwardly extending lugs 2| and 22 which are adapted to engage with the marginal edges I9 50 of the table top I6, in order to retain the latter in position upon the supporting frame. A plurality of cushioning or contact members in the form of rubber buttons 23 may be provided on the upper side of the supporting frame and in 55 its medial portion, where the latter contacts with the under side of the central portion of the table top It. It will thus be seen that the table top 16, which is preferably fabricated from enameled sheet metal, whereby it may be of comparatively light weight and readily cleaned, is supported by the reinforcing frame at its four corners and in its central portion.

The castings 20 which are positioned on the outer ends of the angle bars I3 and I 4 also include the relatively short depending legs 24 which extend below the flange of the angle bars 13 and M. Gripping handles 25 are also positioned on the under side of the castings 2D, in order that the supporting frame may be conveniently grasped and lifted from place to place.

Upwardly projecting bars 26 are also provided on the transverse tie bars 6 and 1. The upwardly projecting bars 26 extend substantially between the points of contact of the supporting frame bars l3 and M, as best shown in Fig. 3 and are for the purpose of retaining the supporting frame against lateral or longitudinal movement when it is positioned on the top of the carriage. 1

An opening 27, as shown in Fig. l is desirably positioned in the lower end of the bottom'of the table top 16 and is for the purpose of serving as a drain for the table top. A suitable receptacle, such as a bucket (not shown) may be hung on the hook 28 carried by the tie bar I8, to receive the liquid or matter which passes through the drain hole 21.

It will thus be seen that the foregoing undertakers table structure constructed according to the principle of my invention possesses the advantages of being inexpensive, durable and conveniently manipulated. The feature of the removability of the table top is of particular advantage in transferring a corpse to table height. The table top may be removed, placed on the floor and the corpse easily slid or rolled thereon, and then the table top and supporting frame can be easily lifted to table height upon the carriage. In this manner'the usual inconvenience and difficulty heretofore incident to the cumbersome and unwieldy transfer of a corpse onto the embalming table is eliminated.

Other modes of applying the principle of my invention may be employed instead of the one explained, change being made as regards the mechanism herein disclosed, provided the means stated by any of the following claims or the equivalent of such stated means be employed.

I therefore particularly point out and distinctly claim as my invention:

1. An undertakers table comprising the combination of a supportingcarriage having a pair of horizontally disposed top bars and a second pair of bars transversely disposed with respect to and joined to said first-named bars, a removable table top, and a reinforcing frame adapted to underlie said table top and. to be supported by said top bars.

lie said table top and being separable from said top and said carriage and adapted to be mounted on the latter, and downwardly depending legs at the four corners of said frame. 7

3. In an undertakers table, the combination of a supporting carriage, a removable table top and an X-shaped frame for reinforcing and supporting said table top, and horizontally extending cross bars on said carriage, said frame being adapted to rest on said cross bars.

4. In an undertakers table, the combination of a supporting carriage, a removable table top and an X-shaped frame for reinforcing and supporting said table top, horizontally extending cross bars on said carriage, said frame being adapted to rest on said cross bars, and upwardly projecting members on said cross bars extending between the points of contact of said frame therewith for holding said frame against lateral and longitudinal movement.

5. In an undertakers table, the combination of a supporting carriage comprising a. pair of U-shaped members having their spaced. ends inverted downwardly to serve as supporting legs, transverse tie bars attached to said members, and maintaining them in spaced relationship, a sheet metal table top, and a frame member for reinforcing and supporting said table top, said frame member being adapted to rest on said tie bars.

6. In an undertakers table, the combination of a supporting carriage comprising a pair of U-shaped members having their spaced ends inverted downwardly to serve as supporting legs, transverse tie bars attached to said members, and maintaining them in spaced relationship, a sheet metal table top, a frame member for reinforcing and supporting said table top, said frame member being adapted to rest on said tie bars, gripping handles and downwardly depending legs positioned on the four corners of said frame, and upwardly extending lugs carried by said frame and adapted to engage with the edges of said table top.

7. In an undertakers table, the combination of a pair of U-shaped members having their spaced ends inverted downwardly to serve as supporting legs, transverse tie bars removably attached to said members and normally maintaining them in spaced relationship, a removable sheet metal table top, an X-shaped frame for reinforcing and supporting said table top, said frame being adapted to rest on said tie bars, downwardly depending legs and gripping handles positioned at the four corners of said frame, and upwardly projecting members on said tie bars extending between the points of contact of said frame therewith for holding said frame against lateral and longitudinal movement.

' MILTON GALLUP. 

